Regular Consumption of Sports Drinks is a Serious Risk to Children's Health

Jul

07

According to a recent study published in the British Dental Journal, sports drinks intended to improve performance and hydrate athletes taking part in endurance sport are being marketed to adolescents, for whom these products are not intended.

Popularity of sports drinks amongst this age group has grown exponentially – with them worryingly being consumed socially, as well as during physical activity.

The problem is that sports drinks are high in sugar and are acidic, and product marketing campaigns are ignoring the detrimental impact sports drinks can have on teeth and general health. If consumed socially and in large quantities, these drinks can lead to serious problems - such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and gout, as well as poor oral health in the form of caries (decay which leads to the need for fillings) and acid erosion (of the enamel which leads to tooth sensitivity)

At Hallcross Dental Practice, we are passionate about helping our patients maintain a healthy, happy smile for life. Along with regular visits to the dentist and hygienist that allow us to help you keep on top of any oral health problems before they worsen, we recommend keeping a tab on the amount of sugary and acidic drinks that you (and your children) consume as well as advise a good ‘at-home’ dental health routine to ensure that you are minimizing the risk of tooth decay by following Five Simple Steps on a daily basis.